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In this adapted extract from What's the Big Idea? Louise Adler looks at the failure of Australian cultural leaders shying from risk and artistic vision - and letting the tail wag the dog

Outgoing chair Kathy Shand says freedom of expression cannot and should not be used as a justification to accept language and conversations that compromise the festival'

Network Ten agrees to pay journalist more than $1.1m to cover legal costs of defending defamation case by Bruce Lehrmann

This blog has now closed. In the meantime you can read our full report on French President Emmanuel Macron's talks with Donald Trump here and all our coverage of the war in Ukraine here.The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas earlier said that she would be travelling to the US tomorrow to meet with US secretary of state Marco Rubio, adding that what she called the Russian narrative" is strongly represented" in comments being made by the second Donald Trump administration.She told reporters I think it's good that we have as many interactions with the new administration in US as possible. I'm also travelling tomorrow to the US to meet Marco Rubio and others there to discuss these issues, because it's extremely important." Continue reading...

Architect who was once highly critical of King Charles is part of team that is one of five finalists for schemeThe shortlist of teams competing to design a national memorial to the late Queen Elizabeth II has been unveiled and includes an architect once highly critical of King Charles.Five finalists are in the running for what has been described as one of the most significant design initiatives in modern British history, in tribute to the UK's longest-serving monarch. Continue reading...

Watchdog recommends use of hash-matching' to allow images to be identified at scale wherever they are sharedTech platforms should combat the rapid rise in explicit deepfakes and revenge porn" by using a database of images to protect women and girls online, according to new guidance being drawn up by the UK communications watchdog.The move is part of a raft of measures proposed by Ofcom to tackle online misogyny, harassment and the sharing of intimate images without the subject's consent - often referred to as revenge porn".Women are five times more likely to be victims of intimate image abuse.Nearly 70% of boys aged 11-14 have been exposed to online content that promotes misogyny and other harmful views.Almost a quarter of teenage girls (23%) regularly see content that objectifies or demeans women.Online domestic abuse is under-reported - half of survivors (49%) told no one about it.Nearly three-quarters of respondents in a survey (73%) had experienced online threats and abuse. Continue reading...

Warrant will not be required where tracker shows an item is present, as part of raft of measures in crime and policing billPolice will be able to search properties without a warrant for stolen phones or other electronically geotagged items under the government's crime and policing bill.The measure is among dozens in the bill, which will be put before parliament on Tuesday and would mostly apply to England and Wales. It has a particular focus on lower-level offences such as theft and wider antisocial behaviour. Continue reading...

Clip allegedly posted online by Nicholas Prosper says he was chosen' by video game characterNineteen-year-old Nicholas Prosper spent much of his time online. This is hardly uncommon for modern teenagers, but Prosper - who rarely left home - was so immersed in the digital world that some of his neighbours reportedly had no idea he existed.That changed last September when people in Leabank Tower, Luton, were startled by the sounds of screams and gunshots in the early hours. Prosper, who was 18 at the time, had shot his mother, Juliana Falcon, 48, and siblings Kyle Falcon, 16, and Giselle Falcon, 13, in the head. Police said that when they arrived at the scene they were met with such awful circumstances". Continue reading...

Director and peer decries government's shameful' copyright rules policy and role of tech investor Matt CliffordBeeban Kidron, the film director who is campaigning against government plans to overhaul copyright rules for AI companies, has become the latest high-profile figure to complain about the role being played by the prime minister's AI tsar, Matt Clifford.Lady Kidron, an award-winning film director whose work includes Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, said ministers were only listening to people who stood to benefit from the controversial proposals, which will take another step forward on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Starmer's spokesperson says US intervention could bring lasting peace' as No 10 treads carefully before White House visitDonald Trump has changed the global conversation around Ukraine for the better", Downing Street has said, as the UK imposed further sanctions on Russia to force Vladimir Putin to make concessions.As world leaders marked the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Keir Starmer's spokesperson said the US president had opened the door to talks that could bring lasting peace. Continue reading...

Campbell Scott, a senior director at Fico, was reported missing while in Nairobi for a three-day conferencePolice searching for a British businessman missing in Kenya have recovered a body, found in a sack in scrubland about 60 miles from Nairobi, reports said.Campbell Scott, 58, a senior director at the data analytics company Fico, went missing on 16 February after arriving in the Kenyan capital to attend a conference at the JW Marriott hotel. Continue reading...

Leader of victorious conservative alliance says continent must build defence capability as US moves towards America alone' mottoThe man expected to be Germany's next chancellor has said Europe must act swiftly to increase its defence capability in the face of a US administration whose motto is moving towards America alone", adding: This is really five minutes to midnight for Europe."In a wide-ranging press conference after his conservative alliance's victory in Sunday's federal election, Friedrich Merz made it clear his focus was on the turbulent geopolitical landscape, saying that although he would seek good ties with the US he was also ready for the worst-case scenario". Continue reading...

Foreign secretary says the UK co-sponsored the motion, voted for it and will support Ukraine but refused to criticise USHere are comments from some of the other UK political parties on the third anniversary of the invastion of Ukraine.From Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leaderFor three years, the brave Ukrainian people have heroically defended their country against Putin's war machine. Now we face an era-defining moment which will determine the future of our continent for generations to come.Now, more than ever, we must stand firmly in support of our Ukranian friends, resist Trump's alarming attempts at a stitch up with Putin and work with our European neighbours to defend freedom and democracy.Across the world today, people will be standing in solidarity with Ukraine. Yes, Russia started the war and yes, Ukraine is a democracy with an elected President. These basic facts need restating loud and clear because US President Donald Trump has chosen to buy into and amplify the lies and disinformation of the Russian state.Vladimir Putin is a dangerous tyrant. It is deeply worrying that President Trump is now joining him in sowing division and chaos, and undermining the rule of law.Today we remember the sacrifices made by the people of Ukraine to resist the illegal invasion by Russia. We stand in solidarity to protect the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We welcome and hold dear the Ukrainian people who have come to Scotland.Today, on the third anniversary of Russia's inhumane and illegal invasion of Ukraine, Plaid Cymru reiterates our unwavering support for Ukraine's security and its sovereignty. We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.We are deeply concerned about the decision by the President of the United States to exclude Ukraine from discussions whilst engaging directly with Russia. Decisions about Ukraine's future must include Ukraine itself. We also believe it is vital that the UK does not capitulate to continued Russian aggression. Continue reading...

I took the discussion too far,' says commerce minister Andrew Bayly, calling his own behaviour overbearing'A New Zealand government minister said on Monday he has resigned from his post after placing his hand" on a staff member's upper arm during an animated" discussion.The country's minister for commerce and consumer affairs, Andrew Bayly, told reporters his behaviour towards the staff member had been overbearing". Continue reading...

Amesbury, 55, admitted the charge after punching a man to the ground on a night out in Frodsham, CheshireMike Amesbury, the MP for Runcorn and Helsby, has been sentenced to 10 weeks in prison for punching a man to the ground.Amesbury, who was suspended by the Labour party after an investigation, last month admitted a single charge of section 39 assault in relation to the incident after a night out in his constituency. Continue reading...

Daughter of Peter and Barbie Reynolds says government must do everything in their power' to secure their releaseThe family of a British couple arrested by the Taliban in Afghanistan have called on the government to do everything in their power" to secure their release.Peter and Barbie Reynolds, 79 and 75, who run education and training programmes in Afghanistan, were detained by the Taliban on 1 February while returning to their home in the central province of Bamiyan. Continue reading...

The hip-hop legends will kick off US tour in June, and hint at further dates to spread the Wu swag, music, and culture'After more than 30 years of music, during which they created an entire martial mythology as well as some of the greatest hip-hop records of all time, Wu-Tang Clan have signalled a possible end to the group.They have announced the start of their final tour", entitled Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber, which will initially visit 27 US cities, beginning 6 June in Baltimore. Bandleader RZA has alluded to later worldwide dates, saying in a statement:This is a special moment for me and all my Wu brothers to run around the globe together one more time and spread the Wu swag, music, and culture. Most importantly to touch our fans and those who have supported us throughout the years. On this tour we're playing songs we've never played before to our audience and me and our production team have designed a Wu-Tang show unlike anything you've ever seen. Continue reading...

Most likely next German chancellor warns against rise of far right and says he intends to form new government by Easter

Stance of German alliance's leader could herald closer ties with France but debt brake' poses obstacle to spending

No injuries reported after incident on Monday, which marks third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Hamas official Basem Naim says Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing atmosphere' to return to war with GazaAccording to a report from Hebrew media outlet Ynet, Israel has told international mediators that it will release more than 600 Palestinian prisoners who were initially scheduled for release on Saturday if Hamas returns four bodies today without any ceremony. The Guardian has not confirmed this report.Israel suspended the handover of 620 Palestinians it was due to free from its prisons on Saturday, putting the ceasefire agreement in jeopardy after Benjamin Netanyahu criticised what he called disgraceful ceremonies that dishonour our hostages and the cynical use of hostages for propaganda".We have fulfilled all our obligations according to the deal.Unfortunately, all the time Netanyahu and his government have been trying to undermine and sabotage the deal.They have committed a lot of violations - killed more than 100 Palestinians, prevented most of the basic needs of the Palestinians to enter the Gaza Strip, and lastly refused to release more than 600 Palestinian prisoners.We have conveyed a clear and strong message to the mediators: We cannot continue talking or discussing any further steps if these 620 Palestinians are not released. Continue reading...

Airlander maker HAV scales up to build world's biggest aircraft, which it says will have 90% lower emissions than a conventional planeIt's a dreary day in Bedford, but on a flight simulator the skies above San Francisco airport are blue and the wind is low. That is a good thing, because there is an amateur at the joystick of the world's biggest aircraft.The flight simulator models trips by the Airlander 10, which is part airship, part aeroplane. If all goes to plan for its designer, Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), two dozen will be built each year from 2030 at a factory in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Continue reading...

Critics say practice risks perception that members of House of Lords are exploiting role for personal gain

Nathan Gill is accused of agreeing to receive money to make statements benefiting' Russian narrative on UkraineA former leader of Reform UK in Wales agreed to receive money to make statements benefiting" the Russian narrative on Ukraine while serving as an MEP, a court has been told.Details of the allegations against Nathan Gill, who served as a member of the European parliament for Ukip and later the Brexit party from 2014 to 2020, were laid out at Westminster magistrates court on Monday. Continue reading...

Kindoki Witch Boy film tells true story of Mardoche Yembi who underwent an exorcism as a childThousands of children in England have been falsely accused of witchcraft over the past decade, according to new figures that come alongside a film released on Monday.Faith-based abuse is a worldwide phenomenon but experts found 14,000 social work assessments linked to witchcraft accusations since 2015. In the year running to March 2024 alone, there were 2,180 assessments linked to witchcraft.Children accused of witchcraft can call Childline on 0800 1111 or NSPCC on 0808 800 500. Continue reading...

Global chart dominated by US acts including Benson Boone, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter, with K-pop bands also strongBritish pop stars have failed to reach the worldwide annual charts of the year's Top 10 biggest singles and albums for the first time in more than two decades.In 2022, UK acts such as Harry Styles and Glass Animals made up seven of the 20 entries in the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) list. This year, the leading UK act was producer and singer Artemas, for I Like the Way You Kiss Me.Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets DepartmentBillie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and SoftSabrina Carpenter - Short n' SweetEnhypen - Romance: UntoldSZA - SOSSeventeen - Spill the FeelsMorgan Wallen - One Thing at a TimeSeventeen - 17 Is Right HereNoah Kahan - Stick SeasonStray Kids - ATEBenson Boone - Beautiful ThingsSabrina Carpenter - EspressoTeddy Swims - Lose ControlBillie Eilish - Birds of a FeatherShaboozey - A Bar Song (Tipsy)Hozier - Too SweetPost Malone - I Had Some Help ft Morgan WallenKendrick Lamar - Not Like UsTaylor Swift - Cruel SummerNoah Kahan - Stick Season Continue reading...

A witness describes how she saw three men arm themselves before seeing a 15-year-old boy covered in blood

Environment Agency warns of risk of river and surface flooding, as climate crisis brings warmer and wetter wintersFlood warnings are in place across the UK after a weekend of heavy rain and high winds.As sunshine and scattered showers moved in on Monday, flood warnings were issued across much of Wales, the south and south-west of England and a few in central Scotland. Continue reading...

Food delivery group's board approves takeover by investor in German rival Delivery Hero

Research reveals UK institutions educated 50 world leaders in post in 2022, despite job cuts, course closures and a fall in foreign studentsUniversities in the UK, many of which are in the grip of a financial crisis, educate more national leaders than any other country in the world", according to analysis.Research by Jisc, the UK's higher education digital, data and technology agency, found UK institutions had educated 50 world leaders who were in post in 2022, with the US in second place with 41, followed by the Russian Federation (14) and France (six). Continue reading...

NHS has been switching patients including Jonelle Roback from Tysabri to the cheaper drug, Tyruko, triggering side-effects

With all seats assigned, Friedrich Merz's CDU/CSU conservatives will be the biggest party in the Bundestag, but the far-right AfD have come second. Find full results from every constituency

In today's newsletter: The far-right AfD may have come second, but at 20% they have been held off by the performance of mainstream parties, with the CDU leader Friedrich Merz on course to be the new chancellorGood morning. Germany's elections always matter far beyond the country's borders - but yesterday's vote could be the most important in a generation.After decades as the stable linchpin of European liberal democracy, Germany has found itself sucked into the same crises that are erupting all over the continent - over its economy, attitudes to immigration and the war in Ukraine. And after the shocking interventions of JD Vance and Elon Musk in favour of the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party, the election became a symbol of a wider struggle for ideological supremacy - and posed a serious question over whether the centre can hold across the continent.Ukraine | Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is not willing to cave in to intense pressure from the Trump administration to sign a $500bn minerals deal - adding that that he was ready to quit as president if it meant peace for Ukraine" or membership of Nato.Catholicism | Pope Francis, who is battling pneumonia and a complex lung infection, remains in a critical condition, the Vatican has said. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, a senior Vatican official, told participants at a mass in St Peter's Basilica on Sunday morning they should make their prayers for Francis stronger and more intense".Afghanistan | The Taliban have arrested a British couple in their 70s for teaching mothers parenting with children". Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife, Barbie, 75, have been running projects in schools in Afghanistan for 18 years.Farming | Hospitals, schools and prisons are to be urged to buy more British food, as part of a government push to heal a rift with farmers over changes to inheritance tax. The environment secretary, Steve Reed, will set a target of sourcing at least half of public sector food from farms with the highest welfare standards, which should benefit British producers.Green economy | The net zero sector is growing three times faster than the overall UK economy, analysis has found, providing high-wage jobs across the country while cutting climate-heating emissions and increasing energy security. 22,000 net zero businesses generated 83bn in gross value added last year. Continue reading...

Two-thirds of businesses surveyed by trade bodies say jobs will go as they urge government to delay changesMore than two-thirds of hospitality businesses will reduce staffing as a result of tax changes taking effect in April, according to research by industry bodiescalling on the government to delay the changes.The survey of pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels found that 70% expected to cut back on employment levels because of the higher costs and reduction in rates relief announced in last autumn's budget. Continue reading...

Labor promised prior to 2022 election to allow the cohort to apply for permanent Resolution of Status visas

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Company says energy sector survey findings are at odds with satisfaction data from other bodiesBritish Gas has again emerged as Britain's worst energy supplier for customer service after a slide in satisfaction over the last six months, figures from a leading consumer group reveal.A Which? report shared with the Guardian found that the service offered by British Gas has worsened across all its satisfaction measures since its last analysis of the energy sector last year. Continue reading...

Opposition leader claims plan to reduce workforce by nearly all jobs added under Labor would save $6bn annually

New Zealand defence minister Judith Collins says department has never seen a task group of this capability undertaking this sort of work'

Aides say prime minister will try to balance the UK and Europe's interests while retaining good relations with unpredictable US presidentThe first time Keir Starmer met Donald Trump, the prime minister had a convivial two-hour dinner with the then presidential candidate in his luxury New York apartment, before Trump dimmed the lights to show off the Manhattan skyline.The stakes at the two leaders' second meeting at the White House this Thursday will be much higher. It will take place days after the third anniversary of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine, amid tensions at the United Nations and during a turbulent period in transatlantic relations. Continue reading...

Friedrich Merz can rebuild European relationships and be a driving force on defence spending, but faces Trump's upending of postwar certaintiesGermany has long been seen as the EU's indispensable nation" - the biggest, richest and most consequential power. But in recent years Berlin has widely been regarded as missing in action in the EU, hobbled by internecine feuding in a coalition government that has caused flip-flops and delayed decisions.Olaf Scholz has a cool relationship with Emmanuel Macron, slowing down the fabled Franco-German motor that powers the EU. The Polish-German relationship has also been rocky, strained by disputes over European air defence and historical grievances. Continue reading...

Continent is being told to take more responsibility for its own defence in light of US president's overtures to PutinA few days after Vladimir Putin sent Russia's invading forces into Ukraine in February 2022, the EU's then foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, asked his staff for an urgent military aid plan. They came up with 50m (41.4m) to help Ukraine.And I said: Are you crazy? We are talking about a war,'" Borrell recounted in late 2024, shortly before standing down. Do you know what does it mean, a war? Put three zeros behind! ... And then we started taking things seriously." Continue reading...

Screen Actors Guild awards go to Shgun and Conclave ensembles, while Jane Fonda gives a rousing political speech while accepting a life achievement awardTimothee Chalamet has won best actor in a surprise upset at the 2025 Screen Actors Guild awards for his performance as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, with Demi Moore and the ensembles of Shgun and Conclave also winning big.Chalamet won best male actor in a leading role, his first in an awards race that has been led all season by The Brutalist's Adrien Brody, who has picked up the Golden Globe, Bafta and Critics' Choice awards and is still widely predicted to win the Oscar next week. Continue reading...

Victorian medical student, 23, says bushfires came so close trees were falling around him, and that he thought authorities would give up the search

Results show CDU/CSU will be largest party but success of Alternative fur Deutschland likely to complicate formation of a governmentThe conservative opposition has won the most votes in Germany's general election, but a dramatic surge by the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) is likely to complicate the formation of a government to help spearhead a European response to growing global threats.The CDU/CSU candidate, Friedrich Merz, was preparing on Sunday night to try to form a ruling coalition after clinching almost 29% of the vote from a high turnout. Continue reading...

This blog has now closed. You can read our full report on the election here and find all our coverage of the election hereOpinion is divided as Germany faces what some describe as the most important election in their lifetime". The country is expected to shift to the right as Friedrich Merz is in pole position to become Germany's next chancellor, while far-right party AfD could become the second most powerful party.So earlier today I asked voters at a polling station in central Berlin what they expected from the election and what they wanted the next chancellor to focus on. Continue reading...

Tech company's share price plummets after latest market update and resignations of Lisa Brock, Richard Dammery, Michael Malone and Fiona Pak-Poy

Former Liberal staffer appeared in Hobart magistrates court by phone and did not enter a plea

Climate Change Authority chair Matt Kean says Dutton's energy proposal is equivalent to adding two Beetaloo basins' worth of emissions to atmosphere